Inflatable shoe stretcher

ABSTRACT

An inflatable shoe stretcher includes a bag body that is formed by coupling outer peripheries of two bag sheets and that defines an air-filling space therein, an one-way air inflow unit that is mounted between the bag sheets for filling air into the air-filling space, and a heat-sealed unit that is formed by coupling portions of the bag sheets. The heat-sealed unit includes two main heat-sealed subunits for segregating the air-filling space into three air-filling space portions. The bag body is able to be bent alongside the main heat-sealed subunits when the air-filling space portions are filled with air.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority of Chinese Patent Application No. 201910141184.6, filed on Feb. 26, 2019.

FIELD

The disclosure relates to a shoe stretcher, and more particularly to an inflatable shoe stretcher.

BACKGROUND

Conventional shoe stretchers are usually made of one of the following materials: paper cardboard, wood, and plastic. As all pairs of shoes come in different sets of shape and size, the shoe stretchers are usually custom-made and not reusable. In other words, a pair of shoe stretchers is usually made specifically for a pair of shoes only, and a different pair of shoes stretchers is needed for another pair of shoes with different sizes or shapes. As a result, the need of multiple pairs of shoe stretchers consumes considerate amount of natural resources and storage space.

SUMMARY

Therefore, an object of the disclosure is to provide an inflatable shoe stretcher that can alleviate the drawback of the prior art.

According to the disclosure, the inflatable shoe stretcher includes two bag sheets that correspond in shape, an one-way air inflow unit, and a heat-sealed unit. Outer peripheries of the bag sheets are coupled to each other by heat-sealing, such that the bag sheets cooperatively form a bag body that defines an air-filling space therein. The bag body has a front portion, and an expanded portion that extends rearwardly in a front-rear direction from the front portion and that expands rearwardly. The one-way air inflow unit is mounted between the bag sheets for filling air into the air-filling space. The heat-sealed unit is formed by coupling portions of the bag sheets, and includes two main heat-sealed subunits and two air passages.

The main heat-sealed subunits extend substantially in the front-rear direction and is spaced apart in a left-right direction, so as to segregate the air-filling space into three air-filling space portions that are arranged in the left-right direction. Each of the air passages fluidly communicates two adjacent ones of the air-filling space portions. When the air-filling space portions are filled with air, the bag body is able to be bent alongside the main heat-sealed subunits.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features and advantages of the disclosure will become apparent in the following detailed description of the embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic top view of a first embodiment of an inflatable shoe stretcher according to the disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the first embodiment being filled with air;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the first embodiment in use;

FIG. 4 is a schematic top view of a second embodiment of the inflatable shoe stretcher according to the disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the second embodiment being filled with air;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the second embodiment in use;

FIG. 7 is a schematic top view of a third embodiment of the inflatable shoe stretcher according to the disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the third embodiment being filled with air; and

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the third embodiment in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before the disclosure is described in greater detail, it should be noted that where considered appropriate, reference numerals or terminal portions of reference numerals have been repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements, which may optionally have similar characteristics.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, a first embodiment of an inflatable shoe stretcher according to the disclosure includes two bag sheets 2 that correspond in shape, an one-way air inflow unit 4, and a heat-sealed unit 5.

The bag sheets 2 are made from thermoplastic materials. Outer peripheries of the bag sheets 2 are coupled to each other by heat-sealing, such that the bag sheets 2 cooperatively forma bag body 3 that defines an air-filling space 30 therein.

The bag body 3 has a front portion 31 that has a front edge 311 at a front end thereof, an expanded portion 32 that extends rearwardly in a front-rear direction (X) from the front portion 31 and that expands rearwardly, and a tail portion 33 that is connected to a rear end of the expanded portion 32 and that extends in the front-rear direction (X). In the first embodiment, the front edge 311 is curved.

The one-way air inflow unit 4 is mounted between the bag sheets 2 for filling air into the air-filling space 30, and includes first and second sealing pieces 41, 42 that are connected respectively to inner sides of the bag sheets 2 and that are proximate to one another. The first and second sealing pieces 41, 42 cooperatively define an air inflow entrance 43.

The heat-sealed unit 5 is formed by coupling predetermined portions of the bag sheets 2, and includes two main heat-sealed subunits 51, two air passages 52, and two secondary heat-sealed subunits 53. The main heat-sealed subunits 51 extend substantially in the front-rear direction (X) and are spaced apart in a left-right direction (Y) that is perpendicular to the front-rear direction (X), so as to segregate the air-filling space 30 of the bag body 3 into three air-filling space portions 301 that are arranged in the left-right direction (Y). Each of the air passages 52 fluidly communicates two adjacent ones of the air-filling space portions 301. The secondary heat-sealed subunits 53 are connected to the front edge 311, and respectively correspond in position to the main heat-sealed subunits 51. In this embodiment, the air inflow entrance 43 of the one-way air inflow unit 4 is in direct fluid communication with the middle one of the air-filling space portions 301.

In the first embodiment, the air passages 52 of the heat-sealed unit 5 is disposed between the front edge 311 and a respective one of the main heat-sealed subunits 51. Each of the main heat-sealed subunits 51 has a front heat-sealed segment 511 that is adjacent to a respective one of the air passages 52, and a rear heat-sealed segment 512 that is connected to a rear end of the front heat-sealed segment 511. A distance between the front heat-sealed segments 511 of the main heat-sealed subunits 51 decreases in a direction away from the front edge 311, and a distance between the rear heat-sealed segments 512 of the main heat-sealed subunits 51 increases in the direction away from the front edge 311.

In use, air is filled through the air inflow entrance 43 of the one-way air inflow unit 4 into a middle one of the air-filling space portions 301 of the air-filling space 30. The air passages 52 quickly distribute the air from the middle one of the air-filling space portions 301 into other ones of the air-filling space portions 301, such that the bag body 3 is able to be bent alongside the main and secondary heat-sealed subunits 51, 53. Due to the presence of the secondary heat-sealed subunits 53, the other ones of the air-filling space portions 301 are restricted to bent downwardly. As such, the inflatable shoe stretcher is adapted to fit through and stretch a front end of a shoe 9 as intended.

Referring to FIGS. 4 to 6, a second embodiment of the disclosure is similar to the first embodiment, with differences in the shape of the bag body 3 and the configuration of the heat-sealed unit 5.

Specifically, the front edge 311 of the front portion 31 of the bag body 3 is straight, and extends in the left-right direction (Y). The middle one of the air-filled space portions 301 of the air-filling space 30 is substantially rectangular, and is elongated in the front-rear direction (X). The other ones of the air-filled space portions 301 are substantially triangular, each of which has two of vertices adjacent to the respective one of the main heat-sealed subunits 51.

The heat-sealed unit 5 includes the main heat-sealed subunits 51 that extend rearwardly from the front edge 311, the air passages 52 that are respectively defined in the main heat-sealed subunits 51, and two tertiary heat-sealed subunits 54 that are disposed between the main heat-sealed subunits 51, and that respectively and diagonally extend from the front edge 311 to be respectively connected to the main heat-sealed subunits 51. After the inflated shoe stretcher in inflated with air, due to the presence of the teritiary heat-sealed subunits 54, the other ones of the air-filling space portions 301 are restricted to bent downwardly relative to the middle one of the air-filling space portions 301. Similar to the first embodiment, the inflatable shoe stretcher is now adapted to fit through and stretch the front end of the shoe 9 as intended.

Referring to FIGS. 7 to 9, a third embodiment of the disclosure is similar to the second embodiment, with a difference in the dimension of the bag body 3. Specifically, a length of the middle one of the air-filled space portions 301 of the air-filling space 30 in the front-rear direction (X) is more than thirty centimeters. Due to the extended length, the tail portion 33 is downwardly bendable, and is adapted to fill other portions of the shoe 9 as well.

Overall, the abovementioned embodiments of the inflatable shoe stretcher are adapted to support and stretch shoes of any size and shape, alleviating the need to own multiple sets of shoe stretchers of different sizes or shapes. By using filled air to support the shoes, the abovementioned embodiments of the inflatable shoe stretcher also consume less resources compared to the conventional shoe stretchers. In addition, due to its flexibility to be deflated when not in use, the abovementioned embodiments of the inflatable shoe stretcher are also easier to store, taking less space in general.

In the description above, for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details have been set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiment. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that one or more other embodiments may be practiced without some of these specific details. It should also be appreciated that reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” an embodiment with an indication of an ordinal number and so forth means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic may be included in the practice of the disclosure. It should be further appreciated that in the description, various features are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of various inventive aspects, and that one or more features or specific details from one embodiment may be practiced together with one or more features or specific details from another embodiment, where appropriate, in the practice of the disclosure.

While the disclosure has been described in connection with what is considered the exemplary embodiment, it is understood that this disclosure is not limited to the disclosed embodiment but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An inflatable shoe stretcher comprising: two bag sheets that correspond in shape, outer peripheries of said bag sheets being coupled to each other by heat-sealing such that said bag sheets cooperatively form a bag body that defines an air-filling space therein, and that has a front portion, and an expanded portion extending rearwardly in a front-rear direction (X) from said front portion and expanding rearwardly; an one-way air inflow unit that is mounted between said bag sheets for filling air into said air-filling space; and a heat-sealed unit that is formed by coupling portions of said bag sheets and that includes two main heat-sealed subunits extending substantially in the front-rear direction (X) and spaced apart in a left-right direction (Y) which is perpendicular to the front-rear direction (X) so as to segregate said air-filling space into three air-filling space portions that are arranged in the left-right direction (Y), and two air passages each fluidly communicating two adjacent ones of said air-filling space portions; wherein, when said air-filling space portions are filled with air, said bag body is able to be bent alongside said main heat-sealed subunits.
 2. The inflatable shoe stretcher as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said front portion of said bag body has a curved front edge at a front end thereof; and each of said air passages of said heat-sealed unit is disposed between said front edge and a respective one of said main heat-sealed subunits.
 3. The inflatable shoe stretcher as claimed in claim 2, wherein: each of said main heat-sealed subunits of said heat-sealed unit has a front heat-sealed segment that is adjacent to a respective one of said air passages, and a rear heat-sealed segment that is connected to a rear end of said front heat-sealed segment; a distance between said front heat-sealed segments of said main heat-sealed subunits decreases in a direction away from said front edge; and a distance between said rear heat-sealed segments of said main heat-sealed subunits increases in the direction away from said front edge.
 4. The inflatable shoe stretcher as claimed in claim 2, wherein said heat-sealed unit further includes two secondary heat-sealed subunits that are connected to said front edge of said front portion of said bag body and that respectively correspond in position to said main heat-sealed subunits.
 5. The inflatable shoe stretcher as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said main heat-sealed subunits extend rearwardly from a front edge of said front portion; and said air passages are respectively defined in said main heat-sealed subunits.
 6. The inflatable shoe stretcher as claimed in claim 5, wherein said heat-sealed unit further includes two tertiary heat-sealed subunits that are disposed between said main heat-sealed subunits, that respectively and diagonally extend from said front edge of said front portion of said bag body to be respectively connected to said main heat-sealed subunits.
 7. The inflatable shoe stretcher as claimed in claim 1, wherein: a middle one of said air-filled space portions of said air-filling space is substantially rectangular and is elongated in the front-rear direction (X), and other ones of said air-filled space portions are substantially triangular, each of which has two of vertices adjacent to the respective one of said main heat-sealed subunits.
 8. The inflatable shoe stretcher as claimed in claim 7, wherein a length of the middle one of said air-filled space portions of said air-filling space in the front-rear direction (X) is more than thirty centimeters.
 9. The inflatable shoe stretcher as claimed in claim 1, wherein said one-way air inflow unit includes first and second sealing pieces that are connected respectively to inner sides of said bag sheets, that are proximate to one another, and that cooperatively define an air inflow entrance for filling air into a middle one of said air-filling space portions of said air-filling space.
 10. The inflatable shoe stretcher as claimed in claim 1, wherein said bag body further has a tail portion that is connected to a rear end of said expanded portion and that extends in the front-rear direction (X).
 11. The inflatable shoe stretcher as claimed in claim 10, wherein said tail portion is downwardly bendable. 